build website before paying a host

Yes. You can install WordPress locally on your desktop or laptop. If you want your domain to work, you need to add it manually to your hosts file.

In addition, you will need a web server with PHP and MySQL. Try XAMPP. It’s easy to install. You can download it from here. https://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp.html

You can then download WordPress files and install on the XAMPP web directory.

Is there a difference between .org and .com? I won’t be ‘blogging’, just building a website for my little business. Which should I be using and is it easy to build a website? I’ve only ever built one using MS Publisher and Front Page and they are VERY simple!

Using wordpress.com is same .org the only difference is that with .com you restricted to what you can do and .org you are in full control no restrictions and long as you follow your host terms.

WordPress can be used to just create a website you will article/video How to use WordPress to create a website rather than a blog

here are two choice for you.
1. use the “wamp” install on your computer. you can use it
2. search the free host

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Sounds confusing but I’ll check it all out. Thanks to all of you! Greatly appreciated!